Jun 09, 2015

Mar 11, 2014

In Africa, most action takes place on the streets and roadsides – people hawking...

Namibia travel highlights

Etosha National Park

Enjoy spotting zebra, rhinos and elephants in the Etosha National Park

Skeleton Coast

See the shipwrecks and seal colonies of the Skeleton Coast

Grootfontein

Learn hunter-gatherer skills from the San Bushmen

Transport in Namibia

Intrepid believes half the fun of experiencing a new country is getting there, and getting around once there! Where possible, Intrepid uses local transport options and traditional modes of transport - which usually carry less of an environmental impact, support small local operators and are heaps more fun.

Depending on which trip you're on while in Namibia, you may find yourself travelling by:

Overland Vehicle

Travel through Namibia's vast deserts, rugged landscapes and rocky terrain on an overland truck custom-made for group travel.

Canoe

Accommodation in Namibia

Travelling with Intrepid is a little bit different. We endeavour to provide travellers with an authentic experience to remember, so we try to keep accommodation as unique and traditional as possible.

When travelling with us in Namibia you may find yourself staying in a:

Guesthouse

Intrepid prefers smaller character-filled guesthouses to hotel chains. When staying in Namibia, enjoy staying in small guesthouses owned and run by friendly locals.

Namibia holiday information

At a glance

At a glance

Capital city:

Windhoek (population 161,000)

Population:

2.1 million

Language:

English, Afrikaans

Currency:

NAD

Time zone:

(GMT+02:00) Windhoek

Electricity:

Type D (Old British 3-pin) Type M (see D)

Dialing code:

+264

Best time to visit Namibia

Best time to visit Namibia

May to October is considered one of the best times to visit Namibia as the days are warm and sunny and the weather is generally dry. Namibian and South African school holidays are mid-December to mid-January, late April to early June and late August to mid-September, so expect Namibia to be busier during these times.

Geography and environment

Geography and environment

Red desert dunes, rugged bushveld, dense woodlands and plains of gravel make up Namibia's ancient terrain. Home to the monumental Fish River Canyon and sharing the iconic Kalahari Desert with South Africa and Botswana, Namibia has some of the most interesting landscapes in Africa, if not the world. With little arable land and a warm climate, Namibia is prone to prolonged periods of drought, making farming difficult. Bordered by Angola, Botswana, South Africa and Zambia, Namibia also has a stretch of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean where visitors can see where the desert meets the sea.

Top 5 Awe-Inspiring Views in Namibia

Top 5 Awe-Inspiring Views in Namibia

1. Colossal Canyon

There's more to the Fish River Canyon than its sheer size. With remote hiking trails, magnificent view points and raging river torrents during the rainy season, visitors will be breathless at the epic views and sense of isolation when visiting this canyon, believed to have been formed more than 500 million years ago.

3. Sossusvlei Sands

This huge clay pan wrapped in red sand dunes occupies a large part of southern Namibia. With some of the tallest dunes in the world, Sossusvlei's variety of colour, size and flora make it a glory to behold.

4. Cape Cross Critters

This protected area on the cape of the southern Atlantic is most famous for its resident seal colony, one of the largest in the world. Witnessing thousands of Cape Fur Seals basking in the sun is a life affirming sight not to be missed when in this part of the world.

5. Ship to Shore

Namibia's Skeleton Coast has been called 'The Land God Made in Anger' by the San Bushmen and 'The Gates of Hell' by the Portuguese, and it's not hard to see why. With gale force winds battering the shore, rolling surf and thick fog, the Skeleton Coast has ruined many a mariner over the years. Evidence of this is scattered along the coastal sands, with a collection of rusting ships resting on the beaches - an eerie yet enthralling sight.

Health and Safety

Health and Safety

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously, and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:

Nationals from the countries listed above are not required to obtain visa, when traveling to Namibia as tourists for a maximum period of 90 days. For any other other nationalities, please contact the local consulate or embassy for visa requirements. Please check with the relevant visa office before departure to make sure there has been no change.

While not mandatory, a tip of 10% is considered standard when dining in Namibia. With the typical Namibian earning a modest wage, a small tip to porters, housemaids and other service workers would be appreciated.

Mobile phone coverage is good in Namibia's large cities and towns, but less so in rural and mountainous areas. Ensure you have global roaming activated before leaving home if you wish to use your mobile phone.

Depending on which areas of Namibia you are travelling in, expect to encounter a combination of squat toilets and flushable toilets. Carry your own supply of soap and toilet paper as these aren't always provided.

While tap water is considered safe in Namibia's cities, drinking tap water isn't generally recommended in Namibia. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water instead. Ask your leader where filtered water can be found; some hotels we stay in may have drinking water available. It's also advisable to avoid ice in drinks and peel fruit and vegetables before eating.

ATMs are easily found in large cities and urban centres, but are rarer in small towns, rural areas and villages. Be sure to have other payment methods available when venturing out of the big cities, as ATMs aren't always an option.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

Responsible Travel

Intrepid is committed to travelling in a way that is respectful of local people, their culture, local economies and the environment. It's important to remember that what may be acceptable behaviour, dress and language in your own country, may not be appropriate in another. Please keep this in mind while travelling.

Top responsible travel tips for Namibia

1. Be considerate of Namibia’s customs, traditions, religion and culture.

2. Dress modestly and respectfully. Shoulders to knees should be covered, especially when entering places of worship.